In the wake of the terror attacks in Paris, NBC's "Today Show" asked Sen. Lindsey Graham to appear and weigh in on the current threat from ISIS.

The GOP presidential hopeful was already in New York to meet with potential voters, according to his staff.

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Host Savannah Guthrie repeated Graham's comment that "Jihadi John may be dead, but ISIS is alive and well."

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks.

"They've brought down an airliner. They had a bombing in Lebanon and now this," Graham said. "When we say, 'You know you've been contained -- your days are numbered' -- they reply pretty forcefully."

Graham, who said he has been to Iraq and Afghanistan 35 times, alluded to the multiple conflicts within that region and the political complexities of focusing solely on ISIS.

"It's a world problem -- not a France or U.S. problem. The region is ready to go into Syria, but they're not going to go in if we leave Assad in power," Graham said.

The South Carolina Republican has previously referenced Turkey and Saudi Arabia's preferences to remove President Bashar Assad before entering Syria to help fight ISIS.

"No Arab or Turkish army is going to follow us into Syria unless we take Assad out because you'll be giving Damascus to Iran," Graham said, making reference to Assad's supporters in Iran.

"President Obama has to make a change in strategy," Graham said. "I'm running for president, but I'm here today to tell the president that if you need my help you have it."

Graham brought up funding cuts to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency.

"We bear some blame for creating the perfect storm for another 9-11," Graham said. "I'm urging members of Congress (to) up our budget so we can have better intelligence and hit them before they hit us."

Host Matt Lauer asked Graham asked how he would go about removing the extremist ideology and belief systems that are being spread through the Internet.

"You don't leave. You stay. You help young women get a better education and give them a voice for the future of their children. You build a small schoolhouse in the remote region in Afghanistan to destroy the Taliban over time," Graham said. "This is a generational struggle and most young people are with us. Offer them a hopeful life verses a glorious death."